About this episodeThe hosts discuss office logistics, celebrity interactions, and nostalgic childhood memories before diving int…AI summary
The hosts discuss office logistics, celebrity interactions, and nostalgic childhood memories before diving into a major controversy where Kanye West accused Adidas of stealing intellectual property and mismanaging the Yeezy brand. The episode also covers the legal troubles of reseller Zade Kicks, the cultural impact of rip-off segments, and includes a humorous segment where the hosts measure their shoe sizes with a Brannock device.
Key takeaways 6
Kanye West sent a detailed DM to Complex accusing Adidas of unauthorized product releases, hiring his former staff, and copying designs like the slides without his approval, claiming Yeezy accounts for 68% of Adidas online sales.
Matt Welty argues that Adidas has deep historical roots in slide footwear (originating in the 1960s for soccer teams), suggesting Kanye's claim of theft is short-sighted given the brand's heritage.
The 'Drip or Skip' segment format was originally invented by Matt Welty in a conference room brainstorming session, highlighting the issue of other media outlets copying successful podcast segments.
Reseller Zade Kicks faces criminal charges for taking pre-orders for 600,000 pairs of Cool Grey Jordan 11s but only fulfilling 6,000 pairs, illustrating the extreme risks and scale of sneaker resale fraud.
The hosts discovered significant discrepancies in their perceived shoe sizes using a Brannock device, with Joel Puma realizing he is a size 10 (not 11.5) and Matt Welty having a full size difference between his feet.
Adidas is attempting to create 'Yeezy Day' restock events to improve consumer access, a strategy Kanye West criticized as being done without his approval or input.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“adidas made up the yeezy day idea without my approval then went and brought back older styles without my approval picked colors and named them without my approval went and hired people that worked for me without my approval stole my colorways without my approval”
▶ 47:28Kanye West's direct message to Complex detailing his grievances with Adidas regarding creative control and intellectual property.
“basically adidas invented the slide okay it's the autolet slide which was created um i believe in like the 1960s so the west german soccer team wouldn't get like staph infections in the showers”
▶ 50:35Matt Welty's counter-argument to Kanye's claims, citing Adidas's historical ownership of the slide category.
“the actual reason is like very easily understandable and very basic it's just that nike doesn't make enough shoes for you to get the shoes because there's 10 million of us that want the shoes and there's only one of you”
▶ 1:06:33Matt Welty explaining why consumers often look for scapegoats like resellers when the core issue is supply and demand.
“i feel like if kanye and adidas are to be working together which is what the long-term partnership between them should be then they have to better draw these lines around this type of stuff”
▶ 53:46Joel Puma's analysis on the necessity of clear boundaries in high-profile brand collaborations.
“i'm not saying that adidas is super hot right now or whatever but maybe the opposite yeah but to think that it does other than rihanna... that's huge volume”
▶ 49:44Matt Welty questioning Kanye's claim that Yeezy represents 68% of Adidas online sales, suggesting Adidas has other strong performers.
Chapters & Sections (54)▼
0:00Sneaker Stashes and Office Desk Changeschapter3
0:00Sneaker Stash Discussion on Podcast
2:51Lloyd Banks and Jay-Z Sneaker Shopping Discussion
4:01Lloyd Banks Discusses Sneaker History and G-Unit
5:25Meeting Celebrities and Sneaker Requestschapter2
5:25Meeting Celebrities and Sneaker Shopping Requests
7:05Secret Shopping and Sneaker Conversations
9:52Long Island Childhood Memories and Nostalgiachapter2
9:52Long Island Childhood Memories and Summer Fun
11:45New Balance Sneaker Discussion and Preferences
13:54Discussion on Rip-Offs in Sneaker Culturechapter2
13:54Discussion of Rip-Offs in Sneaker Community
16:21Discussion on Sneaker Website Originality and Influence
18:34Rihanna and Naomi Campbell Adidas Marketing Storychapter2
18:34Rihanna and Naomi Campbell Celebrity Encounter
20:44Recalling Past Publishing Decisions and Quality Control
22:47Annoying DMs and Generous Responseschapter3
22:47Absurd DMs and Generosity
24:26Sneaker Gift Sent to Brazil
25:37Sneakers Giveaway on Complex Podcast
26:46Ronnie's Steel Blue Kith 992 Sneakerschapter4
26:46Kith 992 Steel Blue Limited Release
28:10Discussing Shoe Sizes and Fitting Issues
29:34Wearing Incorrect Shoe Size Discussion
30:51Trading Sneakers with a Wealthy Friend
32:46Trading Childhood Memories and Sneakerschapter4
32:46Trading Childhood Memories and Sneakers
34:32Shoe Size Identity Crisis Discussion
36:19Measuring Shoe Size for Customers
37:27Customer Service Conversation About Shoe Fitting
38:36Discussion about Sneaker Authenticity and Measurementchapter2
38:36Discussion about Sneaker Authenticity and Measurement
40:36Man Discovers Feet Are Different Sizes
43:16Discussion on Sneaker Customization and Collaborationschapter2
43:16Shoe Dye Treatment Discussion
45:16Kanye West Yeezy Release Day Discussion
47:22Kanye West Accuses Adidas of Mismanaging Yeezychapter3
47:22Kanye West Accuses Adidas of Mismanaging Yeezy
48:55Adidas Online Sales Dominated by Yeezy
50:24Adidas Slide History and Yeezy Inspiration
51:39Counterfeit Products in the Footwear Industrychapter5
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